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Friday, August 7, 2009

Lancaster plant among winners of $2.4B in manufacturing stimulus grants

President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that the federal government will be giving $2.4 billion of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate manufacturing efforts in the U.S. battery and auto industries.

The stimulus grant money will fund 48 new advanced battery and electric drive components manufacturing and electric drive vehicle deployment projects in more than 20 states.

The government hopes the projects, selected through a competitive process by the U.S. Department of Energy, will create tens of thousands of new jobs for Americans.

" width="13" height="13">Toxco Inc., which has operations in Lancaster. A battery recycling company, Toxco will receive $9.5 million to build a new plant that will test hydrothermal recycling of lithium-ion batteries from hybrid and electric vehicles. The investment is expected to create 35 jobs.

The company has locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, California and Canada and is based in Anaheim, Calif.

" width="13" height="13">BASF Catalysts LLC, a chemical company, was the other Ohio company that was awarded a grant, for $24.6 million. Located in Elyria near Cleveland, BASF Catalysts will use the money to produce material for lithium-ion batteries.

Obama made the announcement at Navistar International Corp. in Elkhart, Ind. Navistar will receive a $39 million grant to manufacture electric trucks.

Other companies to receive stimulus money were General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. Universities that were awarded grants include West Virginia University, Purdue University and Colorado State University.